Island Life in Madeira
Get a car. Or rent a scooter. You want to see the whole Island. It’s possible to see it within 4 or 5 days, but I enjoyed 9. You can surf, hike, beach, eat, drink, and pretty much be merry. The polar opposite feeling I had before arriving. Crying in the airport from the attendant being so mean and yelling at me about my overstuffed backpack I already paid for. A wife standing with her family in front of me who was from Madeira looked back and said, “please don’t let this airline and the people get to you and ruin the amazing trip you’re about to have. The Island is beautiful and so are the people there. I promise you it will be worth it.” And she was right.
I stayed at a Hostel for most of the time called “On Track” in Funchal. It’s about a five minute bus ride to town. The kitchen and bathrooms are worth the small trek. You have a full dining room area with multiple terraces, a place to do your laundry, multiple showers and stalls, plenty of cupboard space to eat and cook, and a hostel full of friendships.
I hiked around for the first 4-5 days. Including the hike of death. AKA Pico to Pico pictured above. It almost killed me. But it was exhilarating and quite an accomplishment. The views were breath-taking. I am so happy I checked it off my list because it was something I really didn’t feel I could do. Sometimes you’re able to amaze yourself and accomplish things you don’t think are possible.
But the hikes into the waterfalls were my favorite. It was basically like taking an ice plunge after heating up on the trail. Smelling fresh air from the trees, feeling the cold, crystal blue water, and the sounds of nature was beyond healing to my soul. After many days of hiking, I found all the black sand beaches, made friendships, and surfed.
I moved hostels just so I could do all of that. I loved being able to walk to the beach, surf, lay out, eat some food, and hang back at the hostel. I met some Dutch boys who traveled around with me for a few days after we met and I really enjoyed our conversations about why we were traveling and our views on life. I soaked in the friendships and people here, the slower pace of life while taking in moments, conversations, food, cries, and laughter. The time here felt so special and rewarding to me. It’s a special Island and I highly recommend visiting for a while. Until next time.
Lost in Lisbon
After almost 30 hours of no sleep, I arrived in Lisbon at 6 am. Wide eyed and exhausted trying to find the bus to my hostel. The people in front of me ended up needing the same bus and even paid for my ticket. After the bus I walked up a street that felt like a mountain. When I showed up at 7 am they told me I couldn’t check in until 3 pm. There was no way. I felt drugged from a night after a rave. I really needed to lay down. Miracles happened and they gave me a bed 6 hours early. I was so thankful.
After I got to sleep off the day I was able to literally wander around the city. I wanted to see the Time Out Market and finally found my way. It reminded me of a mosh pit. Almost like I was back at a festival. I still wasn’t awake. I wondered why people were packed into this market waiting at least 35-40 minutes for food. I ended up picking up food from the shortest line and it honestly was awful. I decided to pick up a coffee a pastry on the way out and it ended up being ten times better than my food.
I got to spend time on the Terrace that evening waiting for my friend to arrive and talking to a boy from Argentina. He told me how he lives on the beaches of Brazil with his dog and traveled around. He spent over a year traveling on his bike camping and meeting people who invited him into their homes.
I was ready for my friend to arrive and tour the city together. We ended up finding some good spots to eat and drink. We stumbled upon a tapas restaurant with typical Portuguese dishes. They were in fact delicious along with the verde (green) wine.
The next day we had a free tour around the city with a lovely Portuguese lady who is a history teacher. She showed us the ins-and-outs of the town and brought us to some of the best view points.
We were super hungry after our tour and found a beautiful restaurant in the middle of a brick road street. We found out their speciality was sardines and I felt sick thinking about it. I absolutely love fish, but I am normally not a fan. The people next to us from Italy were raving about their 3 orders of fish. I told them I was scared to try it and they insisted I taste one of theirs. I will try anything once so I went for it. And I was shocked. I absolutely loved it.
My favorite part of the city was finding the sunset at one of the peaks. They turn their Chistmas Market into a summer market with fresh sangrias, beer, and cocktails. There’s a DJ there every night and everyone drinks and dances into the evening. It’s a lovely crowd every night and I really enjoyed the energy and people we met.
I was ready to have some drinks by the ocean for the last night and prepare for the trip to Madeira. I was excited to go to the Hawaii of Europe. Get ready to read my adventures of the beautiful volcanic Island.
Aunt Life in Chicago
7 years. The amount of time its been since I visited Chicago. The last time I was celebrating my brother’s life, because he just beat the f*** out of cancer. God blessed us. Time went on in Florida and he had these beautiful children. My heart was calling me to see their home and be with them in the town they were raising these little munchkins, the cutest ones on the block (I know, I am biased).
The first few days I got to spend some quality time with my sister in law. We are proud “Ozog” sisters. We had a girls day, and it was definitely for the girls. A place I only dreamed of as a little girl growing up. American Girl Doll. To see Addison and Brooklyn’s excitement in their eyes and choose which doll they wanted to take home was priceless.
The next day we went to the Zoo. We fed some animals and got to see a few monkey’s and gorillas. It was a hot day so we ended up getting back to the house in the afternoon to run through the sprinklers.
The next few days was a surprise. I was supposed to leave Friday afternoon, but realized I booked my flight for a month in advance. Whoops! It was a blessing in disguise. I spent quality time with my brother and his family that evening and next full day. We all went downtown and got ice cream and danced in the streets. It was the first time the kids rode on the train. And they loved it. I couldn’t of asked for a better day.
It was short, but sweet. The night before I left I hugged my brother and sister goodbye and cried after they all told me to move there. They would set up the basement for me to live. I was so happy I got to talk for hours with my brother at night, bond with my sister and the kids, and really feel the love from my family. They mean the world to me and I’ll be back sooner than later.
Thank you for making me an Aunt. It’s pretty much the coolest feeling I know besides probably being a mom myself (maybe some day).
xoxo
Aunt Kelly
5 Ways to Set Your Soul on Fire in San Diego
Listen to nature
San Diego’s been on my mind for over a decade. And after I went, it answered why my heart yearned to see it. I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching (per usual), and besides seeing my amazing Aunt, Uncle, and the kids, there were reasons I needed this trip. I felt peace, love, joy, and an exuberant amount of love. I experienced 7 places that opened my heart and excited my soul. I hope these do the same for you! <3
La Jolla Cove
This is where I jumped out of the car while my aunt drove around in circles just to get close to these creatures. To say it’s packed during Summer Season is an understatement. But to say the least, it’s worth it. It’s one of the most popular spots where people snorkeled, dove, kayaked in caves, and seal watched. Make it a part of your list.
Do you see how close I was to the Sea Lions!?
This has literally been a dream of mine, to see them in their natural habitat.
But I do not recommend going too close to these animals (like pictured) because they feel threatened and are known to bite. I honestly didn’t know this guy was going to come knee deep!
Seeing them in the wild will definitely set your soul on fire.
2. Torrey Pines Park
This is located just north of La Jolla and is named after the rarest native pine in the USA (possibly even the world). I wanted to hike in San Diego, but I didn’t know I could breath in fresh salt water air AND journey through wild flowers, trees, and ocean waters hugged by rugged cliffs. What better combination? I don’t know, but it cleared my head and gave me peace.
3. Brigantine at Portside Pier
This was the perfect picturesque spot for sunset, drinks, and food. Reservations along the water were made for the seven of us. And let me tell you. The view was worth it. I watched boats, jet skis, yachts, and sailboats come in and out of the pier while soaking up the warm sun shine through its glass doors. We had an arrange of seafood to share as apps (shrimp, oysters, lobster, calamari), and handmade cocktails that I bartender approved (yes, for the win). I ordered Wok-Charred Ahi and it was a melt in your mouth decision. My heart and belly were more than satisfied after this destination.
4. Balboa Park
This 1,200 acre historic cultural park blew my mind away. Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for the size and multiple attractions at my feet. I planned to go there for an afternoon stroll, and would of liked to spend at least the day. But I made the most of it and decided from the map the highlights I didn’t want to miss out on this trip. I saw hundreds of artists in their Spanish Village Art Center, the Japanese Friendship Garden, Rose Gardens, and the very tail end of Country Hopping at the Cottages. It filled me with awe and wonder for culture and the world. There was something there for everyone. Stop and smell the roses.
5. Coronado
I wanted to visit the renowned resort city on a peninsula of San Diego, wouldn’t you? Somebody suggested I go there and rent a bike and that’s exactly what I did. I found a lovely bike shop right off the pier and biked around for 3 hours following the Bayshore Bikeway Trail. It was just lovely. I got to get off my bike and walk downtown, get in the water at their famous beautiful beaches, and see the infamous Hotel del Coronado. It reverted me back to my childhood days of happily riding my bike in perfect 70 degree sunny weather. It brought out my jovial youth heart and smile I needed to remember I still had. I would highly recommend and do it all over again.
